Jade S.

Jade was born over three months early. He was two pounds and was fighting to breathe on his own. His lungs were too weak and they gave out and bled which bled into his brain and caused much brain damage. Jade fought very hard to survive and was left with only a very small portion of his brain. The doctors were not hopeful that he would survive, but he did.

He had to have heart surgery and a few brain surgeries when he was still only a couple of pounds. He spent 94 days in intensive care where every day he fought hard to live. Jade finally reached five pounds and was stabilizing and then able to go home. His doctor called him her “angel boy” because she said that in 30 years as a NICU doctor, she had never seen a baby live through what Jade survived.

Jade developed seizures shortly after coming home. He also developed major reflux that affected his sleep. For his first 2 1/2 years, Jade did not sleep more than 2 hours at a time. He would wake with seizures or reflux and cry in pain. His parents tried every medication they could, but none would work. He finally had surgery and began a special diet to control seizures. Within two days on the diet, Jade slept his first full night!

Jade was left with only part of his brain on the right side, so he does not speak or have balance but he does understand love. He is ALWAYS happy. He does not understand the future or the past… he just lives in the moment. He has never been in a bad mood in all his 13 years. He wakes up laughing, goes to bed laughing, and just loves people.

Jade has had 14 surgeries including hips, brain, and stomach and will soon have another hip surgery. These surgeries are painful, but Jade still tries to be happy. He brings joy to all who know him.

Jade has his own way of communicating and learning. He does this by pointing to someone who he wants to say their name, and then he points to something else… and he wants that person to name whatever he points to. He loves to point to a logo on your shirt or his and see if you can name it.

Sparrow Cash raised for Jade will help with ongoing medical expenses, travel to Portland, and everyday living expenses. Students at Cascade Middle School will “earn” Sparrow Cash by completing a minimum of 256 hours of sponsored community service.